§ 38. Mr. Stokesasked the Secretary of State for War how many of the 77,000 vehicles parked in Germany, of which some 6,000 were in course of transfer to surplus disposal authorities in July, have now been transferred to local authorities for their use; and how many have been taken in for repair since 15th July, 1947.
§ 78. Mr. William Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for War how many vehicles, surplus to Army requirements, are now in parks in Germany; how many have been disposed of; and what steps are proposed for the remainder.
§ Mr. M. StewartOf the 77,000 vehicles held on 15th July some 6,000 have now been handed over to the disposal authorities; 11,263 have been taken into workshops for repair. I cannot say how many have been transferred to the local authorities. Three thousand additional vehicles have since become surplus to Army requirements and been placed in vehicle parks and are now in course of transfer to the disposal authorities. Since the end of hostilities some 89,000 vehicles in B.A.O.R. will have been made available to the disposal authorities, including the 3,000 which I have mentioned as in course of transfer. More are likely to become surplus to Army requirements in the future as and when the strength and commitments of Rhine Army are reduced, and these will be offered for disposal in the usual way.
§ Mr. StokesIs my hon. Friend aware that at the rate at which he is going it will take another 18 months before he has the rest of these vehicles under repair, that two more winters will have passed, and that most of them will be completely rotten?
§ Mr. StewartNo, Sir. I would not accept the suggestion in the last part of the supplementary question; nor does it follow that the rate of disposal is uniform over a long period.